South Sudan President Dismisses Parliament Speaker and Deputy

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has terminated the appointments of the nation's parliament speaker and deputy speaker, as announced via a decree read in the legislative body on Tuesday. Tulio Odongi Ayahu, the chief whip for Kiir's Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), officially communicated the decision to remove Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and her deputy, Permena Awerial Aluong, from their roles in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

This action was prompted by a petition submitted last week by members of the SPLM caucus. They alleged that Kumba engaged in corrupt practices, specifically concerning the alleged misappropriation of parliamentary funds, and called for her dismissal.

Jemma Nunu Kumba, who made history in 2021 as the first female speaker of South Sudan's parliament, has not yet provided a statement regarding the accusations.

President Kiir has appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko and Abuk Paiti Ayiik to assume the positions of speaker and deputy speaker, respectively.

These dismissals come shortly after President Kiir's unannounced removal of the then-Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol in late February. Chol had served in that capacity for only three months, and no reason was provided for his termination.

Commentators suggest that Kiir frequently reorganizes senior political and military leadership positions as a strategy to maintain his control amidst ongoing instability and discussions about his eventual successor.

Esther Ndu